EPA’s Pilate and His Green Theology

For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.

— Luke 8:17

Apologies, aside, Al Armendariz inadvertently revealed the radical tactics of the EPA. Professor Al Armendariz, the Region 6 EPA Administrator was bemoaning the fact that he only had 150 henchmen to enforce his EPA regulations in his oil rich 5 state region. Surely, he must envy the Gray Ghost at HHS who has 4000 IRS agents at her organic disposal to enforce Obamacare. Undeterred, Professor Al unveiled his secret weapon in a speech that went viral.

The High Priest of Green hesitated only slightly, then happily shared his efficient and magical bureaucratic philosophy. He could barely contain his glee as he launched into his smug intimidation of oil and gas companies:

“But as I said, oil and gas is an enforcement priority, it’s one of seven, so we are going to spend a fair amount of time looking at oil and gas production. And I gave, I was in a meeting once and I gave an analogy to my staff about my philosophy of enforcement, and I think it was probably a little crude and maybe not appropriate for the meeting but I’ll go ahead and tell you what I said. (Al smirks and smiles)

It was kind of like how the Romans used to conquer little villages in the Mediterranean. (Al smiles again) They’d go into a little Turkish town somewhere, they’d find the first five guys they saw and they would crucify them. And then you know that town was really easy to manage for the next few years. And so you make examples out of people who are in this case not compliant with the law. Find people who are not compliant with the law, and you hit them as hard as you can and you make examples out of them, and there is a deterrent effect there. (chopping hand motions).”

Young Al might not remember that “managing people” by selecting them out for public punishment so that the population becomes more compliant is eerily reminiscent the totalitarian tactics in the early 20th century.

As if Armendariz’s “philosophy” isn’t troubling enough, his shameless and cynical smile is downright creepy. Although having worked only a mere 3 years in private industry, Al is no neophyte when it comes to battling the energy companies who dare to provide oil and gas production to the world. Despite his youth and inexperience, Professor Al has learned well the lessons of the Green Bible of the environmentalists:

Thou shall know that humans are toxic, the fewer, the better.

Thou shall use any tactics for the greater glory of sustainable energy.

The rich 1% oil companies, along with all federal taxpayers, pay Professor Al’s salary. Another history lesson lost on Professor Al. Contrary to his power-filled hubris, he is a public servant, emphasis on servant. His job is not to select and humiliate people into submission, nor is it to “conquer” and “manage” people by fear and intimidation. He is to serve, not select out, the people in the little villages.

Yet, all is fair in love and green. The eco-theologians justify their tactics in pursuit of Mother Earth. Earth Day will no doubt become a federal holiday once they successfully ban Christmas and Easter as state holidays.

Inevitably, Administrator Al’s enforcement tactic, “crucifixion” conjures up the cruel punishment of Jesus of Nazareth. It’s appropriate since environmentalists believe their cause is a hallowed religion.

So Professor Al dusts off his eco-friendly Roman toga and follows in the carbon footsteps of another despot, Pontius Pilate, the merciless figure in the trial and crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. Al is correct that the Romans perfected cruelty as a means to solidify their power and control. Pilate, the Roman Governor of Judea, who had the power to collect taxes and enforce the Roman law in all the “little villages” through brute force and intimidation by Roman soldiers. Pilate wielded his power by ordering the execution and crucifixion of Jesus, knowing that Jesus was innocent of the crimes charged, but Pilate wanted to send a message to the unruly crowd–it has a deterrent effect.

The recurring tactic of the administration is to demonize anyone who opposes its green agenda. Power, not the crude oil kind, but intimidation, in the hands of an inexperienced and powerful bureaucrat, is a dangerous. Lord Acton’s observation comes to mind:”Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

The religious creed of environmentalism includes the power to freely punish all who don’t practice the ideology of green power. Al’s palace guards look for the first 5 guys to harass, harangue, and then, if necessary, hang. While Kathleen Sebelius has an army 4000 enforcers to deploy to the villages, the tactics of intimidation are now exposed for all to see.

Your philosophy, Al, is as old as the Romans. It ultimately didn’t work with them either. Yes, Pilate, the Roman Governor, enforced the law through terror and brutality. He even crucified an innocent man, Jesus of Nazareth.

But pay attention, Al and all you, bureaucrats. Pilate didn’t bargain for the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. Pilate, in his haste to make an example out of this man, Jesus, didn’t anticipate that Jesus would return to this earth. And, when he returned to earth after his crucifixion, Jesus said, “Do not be afraid. All power in heaven and earth has been given to me.”

Al and Kathleen, your peons won’t be intimidated because true power and freedom lies in the crucifixion.